Diversity & Inclusion

We are The Nature Conservancy!

The Nature Conservancy has a strong and abiding commitment to diversity in its workforce and in the people and groups with which it works. In fact, diversity is one of the Conservancy's unique core values.

We recognize the Conservancy's mission—to conserve the lands and waters on which all life depends—is best advanced by the leadership and contributions of men and women of diverse backgrounds, beliefs and cultures.

We recruit and mentor staff to create an inclusive organization that reflects the organization's global character.

Global threats to the environment affect people of all backgrounds, beliefs and cultures. Making a real difference requires the rich blend of perspectives, ideas and viewpoints that only a truly diverse workforce can provide.

To that end, in the fall of 2015 The Conservancy hired its first Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer (CDIO) and staff. The CDIO, Heather Wishik, sits as a member of the Executive Team and advises it and the President on policy matters related to diversity and inclusion.

This new function designs and leads our global strategy, coordinates its implementation and advises internal functions on their incorporation of diversity and inclusion. Our strategy also includes external engagement with new constituencies and partners, operationalizing further our human rights and indigenous rights standards and monitoring, and conservation capacity building related to culture, gender and other differences as part of the update of our scientific method, Conservation by Design 2.0.

In addition, our People Team and the CDIO collaboratively manage our inclusive workplace initiatives such as the “Engaging Across Difference” learning laboratory, other staff learning opportunities related to topics such as unconscious bias, Employee Resource Groups and staff access to cultural literacy tools and technologies.

The Nature Conservancy is a nonprofit, tax-exempt charitable organization (tax identification number 53-0242652) under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Donations are tax-deductible as allowed by law.